I think it's the opposite, he just basically forfeit a shit ton of cash (4.5 mill for next year on top of what he would have made this year?). Think he will want clarity on any team he goes to as to his role and having a chance to earn a contract that can make back the money lost. He will want to know from Bowman what his role here will be and frankly it's not that hard to see, none of the Arvidsson, JSkinner, or even Podkolzin are producing lights out, who knows if Kane even plays this season ... he probably is being told he will have a good chance at top 6 minutes.
Meh, I don't get too attached to any of these role players. The systems play from Coffey/Knob is what makes the D corps hum alongside Ekholm playing like a legit no.1 D.
People getting caught up with role players like Emberson are like those who were crazy about Desharnais (and those people were quite loud early on in the season, they've shut up now that he's clearly bombing in Vancouver).